Few express interest in attending George Zimmerman murder trial

SANFORD, Fla. - While the case against George Zimmerman has captivated the country, it seems as if local interest in the case could be waning.

On Friday, the public got a shot at tickets that would let them sit in the courtroom Monday for opening statements, and only a small group of people took advantage of the opportunity.

For the past nine days, people have entered into a lottery to get a seat in the courtroom for Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial. There are 24 seats available for the public each day, but on some days, only three people have shown up. Zimmerman is charged in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2012.

A small group of hopeful court spectators lined up outside the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office Friday afternoon.

Each of those who were there said they're eager to sit inside the courtroom Monday to watch as the state lays out its case against Zimmerman, and the defense lays out it case.

"(I) want to be part of history. It's the biggest thing that happened here," said Sanford resident Cherrie Henry.

It's in stark contrast to public's appetite for the Casey Anthony trial, two years ago, where a seat to the courtroom was the hottest ticket in town. People camped out all night for a chance to see the trial in person.

The level of interest for Zimmerman appears to be far different.

"Casey Anthony was young and pretty, and she had a party life. I think it interested more people than this one," said Casselberry resident Maureen Deeming.

Some of those who stopped by to sign up for a ticket had already had an inside look at what to expect Monday.

An Oviedo man who didn't want to be identified said he was juror I33 and that he made it into the final 40-person Zimmerman trial pool Thursday. He wasn't one of the six jurors and four alternates selected for the trial.

"It started to get pretty interesting," he said.

He still hopes to be back in the courtroom on Monday, though not in the jury box.

There's so much controversy on every single aspect, I want to see firsthand," he said.

The lottery system will continue for the remainder of the Zimmerman trial